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House Rules Committee advances PCS to remove Planned Parenthood as Medicaid provider
Summary
The House Rules Committee gave a favorable report to a committee substitute (PCS) for a Senate bill that would remove Planned Parenthood and affiliated entities from North Carolina's Medicaid program, prompting questions from members about potential gaps in care and transition timelines.
At a meeting of the North Carolina House Rules Committee, members voted to give a favorable report to a committee substitute (PCS) for Senate Bill 3 78, a proposal to remove Planned Parenthood Federation of America and affiliated entities from the state's Medicaid program and to discontinue any Medicaid contracts with those entities, Representative Arp said.
Representative Arp, the bill's presenter, said the measure "makes clear that public dollars will no longer flow to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood, ensuring our Medicaid program focus instead on health care providers who offer comprehensive care for women without undermining the values of North Carolinians." He said the PCS aligns North Carolina with a federal law that requires removal of Planned Parenthood as Medicaid providers and directs the state to engage other Medicaid providers to supply services previously provided by those entities.
The committee exchange included several members who said they were concerned about nonabortion health services currently provided at Planned Parenthood clinics. "The health care uses of Planned Parenthood for those who have received Medicaid gives me some pause," Representative Cunningham said. "There may be some loss of health care services for women who receive Medicaid." Representative Cunningham asked whether the bill or its implementation included timelines or mechanisms to prevent gaps in care, particularly in rural areas.
Arp and other supporters said the federal law is already in effect and that the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) must comply; Arp said medical providers told lawmakers there are other organizations able to provide testing and related services. Representative Roseanne Ball pressed whether lawmakers who sponsor the bill have helped identify replacement providers. Arp replied that prior legislation, including legislation identified in the meeting as Senate Bill 20, "provide[s] additional funds to assist in women's healthcare" and that the policy is to expand services through other providers.
Representative Jackson said the bill would redirect Medicaid funding to community health centers and pregnancy care centers and cited other states that have taken similar steps. Jackson also said the measure would freeze about "$830,000 of grants" that Planned Parenthood could otherwise apply for, as described during the session.
Representative Torben moved for a favorable report to the PCS "unfavorable to the original bill." Committee members responded by voice vote; the chair said, "the ayes have it," and the PCS to Senate Bill 3 78 was passed to committee.
The committee record shows members debated possible service gaps, timelines for transitioning patients to other providers, and whether state agencies or sponsors had prepared lists of replacement providers. The bill as presented directs DHHS to discontinue contracts with Planned Parenthood-related entities and to engage other Medicaid providers to cover affected services.
